Tdi 90 103k white smoke

T

tdige

A2OC Donor
Hi all

Just wondering if anyone else has had similar issues to this.

I went to the local shops this morning car started fine gentle 3 mile run in traffic the car had only reached temperature when I got there. Set of home sat at the traffic lights a I noticed white smoke blowing past me, I thought it was the car behind overheating. When I set off there was a James Bond like smoke screen behind me. The car seems to run and pull fine, there is no water loss or increase in water pressure from the header tank and the oil is clean.

I have just let it cool for a few hours and started her up and there is no smoke at all after a minute start smoking again it smell of burning oil.

I know it could be a whole heap of things my first thoughts are the turbo oils seals are goosed:confused:


Thanks

Tdige
 
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My TDI 90 turbo blew at 89k miles despite the very best possible care, same engine so probably the same turbo as yours. No smoke just a horrible horrible screeching noise on boost.

Not very constructive but there you go.
 
Sounds like the turbo oil seals.

My Audi A3 tdi blew the turbo and there was lots of white smoke.

In my case, the turbo smashed apart and blew metal filings into the intercooler etc and was a nightmare to repair.

My advice would be to stop driving it until it is diagnosed as it it could become a big expensive job if the central housing rotating assembly (CHRA) becomes damaged and throws metal into the engine.
 
It's a bit difficult for turbo parts to get into the engine as they have to negotiate the intercooler but it doesn't look too good for the turbo. It sounds like the shaft is broken. There are no seals as such, just oil flingers so if the shaft is not rotating, the flingers don't work.

RAB
 
Hi i really hope its not your turbo causing this--my gut feeling was a faulty temp sender causing it to run to rich?
Anyway if it is your turbo be very careful as TDI engines can self district by running on the engine oil being pushed through the cold side of the turbo-they just keep revving and you will not turn it off with the key.
Hope its something cheep. mike
 
a2sumo said:
Anyway if it is your turbo be very careful as TDI engines can self district by running on the engine oil being pushed through the cold side of the turbo-they just keep revving and you will not turn it off with the key.
Click to expand...
If that ever happens to anyone, stop, put it into 5th gear with your foot on the brake and take your foot off the clutch.

RAB
 
I have parked her up for now. The turbo seemed to be spooling up, the car pulled as normal.
If its the temp sender it would smell of diesel and it smell more of burning oil to be honest
I have been looking at turbo prices and they seem to be around £650 new or £300 for a recon does that seem about right?
I might have a go at fitting it myself just depends on the weather really as I have to do it in the great outdoors.
I can see this being a real pain to do from underneath has anyone done one any tips? if I do have a go is there anything I should change whilst its out?


Thanks again

Tdige
 
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If its truly white smoke rather than a blue 'oil' haze then the normal culprits are either water in the combustion chamber or vaporised un-burned fuel.
Un-burned diesel can be caused by - low compression (insufficient heat for full combustion), too much fuel or too little air for the available fuel.

I'd start with a diagnostic scan before changing turbos.

Cheers Spike
 
spike said:
If its truly white smoke rather than a blue 'oil' haze then the normal culprits are either water in the combustion chamber or vaporised un-burned fuel.
Un-burned diesel can be caused by - low compression (insufficient heat for full combustion), too much fuel or too little air for the available fuel.

I'd start with a diagnostic scan before changing turbos.

Cheers Spike
Click to expand...


I have done a full scan and there was no fault codes. The water level hasnt moved on the header tank and it doesnt have that sickly antifreeze smell or it doent smell of diesel. It does smell like burning oil Im not familiar with synthetic oil burning.
It smokes like on this video
I could sort of understand if I was giving it some throttle like that one.

Im not sure what else it could be?
 
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As mentioned earlier, its highly likely your turbo is on its last legs.

My recent A3 tdi episode where the turbo smashed apart i would not like to repeat.

A big expensive job if it does disintegrate!

I had smoke pouring out exactly as in your video although i also had the big bang and metallic noises of the blades self destructing then switched it off.

I would have a reputable mechanic take a look where it is. If it is diagnosed as the turbo, dont risk driving it at all.

Here is a short list of what had to be done to my A3.

Vehicle recovery
Oil filter
Air filter
Recon turbo
Gasket set
Oil change
Intercooler removed cleaned
Air box and pipes cleaned
Turbo pipes removed cleaned
Another oil change
Another oil filter
Full exhaust and cat replaced (oil)
 
Hi Manhattan

I have just been out for a tinker and confirmation to be honest. I can see why some post suggest the white smoke being steam as this was my first thoughts as I though the car behind had overheated, but the smoke as in the video is dry powder like smoke similar to a smoke machine in a night club.
I took the rubber inlet pipe that goes into the top of the inlet gubbins and its soaked in oil. Can only imagine how much must be in the intercooler and its bloody raining so cant get on with it. I might have a phone round tomorrow to get some quotes as Im going to stuggle on my own this time of year without a shelter.

Many thanks

Tdige or dige at the mo :)
 
I paid £1200 all in for a new OEM spec turbo fitted by a local VAG specialist. They were reluctant to fit a non OEM (e.g. remanufactured) turbo as they said they often disintegrate leading to warranty hassles for them. But that might have been sales blarney by them. They had trouble finding one - it's a very rare engine & the turbo has an integrated manifold. Looks like a beast of a job, access so hard.

The 90 has an anti-shudder valve after the turbo so it shouldn't run away even if it starts burning its own oil - when you turn the key off the valve should close & the air is cut off (at least that's how I understand it).

Sorry if it's your turbo, a big bill however you look at it.
 
I was thinking about using a local VAG specialist, I know they would only fit a new one with the VAG 2 year parts warranty. Knowing my luck if it was to go again Im sure as its been remapped and had an egr delete they would try and wriggle out of the warranty claim as its been modified(although I'm maybe be being a little unfair with that comment).

Im off Thursday so will have a ring around and weigh it all up I might still do it myself yet

Cheers

T less dige
 
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Paxo said:
... The 90 has an anti-shudder valve after the turbo so it shouldn't run away even if it starts burning its own oil - when you turn the key off the valve should close & the air is cut off (at least that's how I understand it). ...
Click to expand...


tdige said:
... had an egr delete ...
Click to expand...


Isn't the anti-shudder-valve integrated into the EGR? So maybe a run-away is still a possibility. I maybe completely off the mark here of course.
 
Im not sure Mike. Due to the smoke I wont be running her again, also I dont want to pump more oil through the intake system.
 
I'd keep an open mind and not specifically ask for a turbo replacement when you go to the garage. Oil in the charge air system is not unusual (it comes from the engine breather) so I still think the white smoke is vaporised fuel due to poor combustion rather than oil. A damaged turbo would deprive the engine of air, as would a blocked air filter. A stuck anti shudder valve could do the same (I think you can delete the EGR but keep the valve on 90 TDis)
OK, it still could be the turbo but there are some cheaper options worth checking first.

Cheers Spike
 
I had an Egr bypass fitted it wasn't just mapped out. I would agree with you Spike if the smoke did not smell of burnt oil. Diesel has quite a distinctive smell, I will heed your advice though and not just request a turbo. However after disconnecting the intake pipe is wasn't just a coating of engine oil it was dripping with it and that was the top pipe as it goes into the inlet manifold. But I do take your points on board. I'm sure the whole thing will grow arms and legs at a garage.
Happy Daze
T dige
 
spike said:
Oil in the charge air system is not unusual (it comes from the engine breather) so I still think the white smoke is vaporised fuel due to poor combustion rather than oil.
Click to expand...
Hi Spike,

Not sure about that. Air enters the system via the filter, then passes through the compressor side of the turbo, through the intercooler and into the intake. The only possibility of contamination with oil is the turbo surely?

Correction! Yes, there is connection between the top of the rocker box and the compressor outlet. However, if most of the oil is coming from there, a faulty turbo would have been cheaper!

RAB
 
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Hi RAB

I'd agree that if there is more than just a light coating of oil in the charge cooler pipework then its more likely to be turbo seal related than mist from the engine breather.
Still can't get my head round the dense white smoke being from burning oil though - but as my wife regularly points out, I've been wrong before.

tdige - if you don't have a good independent garage close by would it be practical to get the car to Star Performance - http://www.starperformance.co.uk/


Cheers Spike
 
Hi Guys,
This is as much a question as it is an answer. If the head gasket goes and you are losing compression on a cylinder, wouldn't it create the white clouds of unburned diesel, as described?

It may be worth trying a bottle of Steel Seal to see if that will fix it - I know that it's £30 but might just work - any thoughts?

Regards,
 
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